Rating All of the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Sitcom Episodes
In 1987, New York Giants quarterback (and Super Bowl MVP) Phil Simms first said the iconic phrase, “I’m going to Disney World.” A promotional idea from the mind of the (at the time) Disney CEO, Michael Eisner, we now hear Super Bowl MVPs utter the phrase “I’m going to Disney World” or “I’m going to Disneyland” every year, including in a commercial that airs after the game.
In the heyday of family sitcoms, many shows featured an episode in the Disney Parks, with many airing on the Disney-owned ABC network.Looking back on the equally delightful, fascinating, and heartwarming episodes, they vary in quality, believability, and rewatchability. Overall, these episodes give audiences a glimpse into these parks at different periods, each acting as a time capsule for fans of Disney nostalgia.
Of course, the biggest Disney fans recognize the inaccuracies and unbelievable scenarios. But one cannot help but sit back and enjoy every Disneyland and Walt Disney World sitcom episode.
1. Full House (Season 6, Episodes 23 & 24, “The House Meets the Mouse Part 1 & 2”)
Unsurprisingly, the beloved family sitcom’s Walt Disney World episodes top this list. In “The House That Meets The Mouse,” Disney invites Jesse and the Rippers to play at the Magic Kingdom, giving audiences the first two-part Disney Parks episode and the first to air on ABC.
Instead of a romantic anniversary trip for Jesse and Becky, Danny brings the entire family too, resulting in crazy, hilarious, wholesome, and heartwarming shenanigans.
Moreover, these entries treat viewers to looks at The Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, with highlights including the Living Seas Restaurant and the Grand Floridian Resort Hotel.
The episode ends when the Tanners ride in the parade, giving us a look at the 35th Anniversary Walt Disney World “Party Gras Parade,” and Danny finally proposes to Vickie in fireworks form. As Jesse and the Rippers sing “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” in front of Cinderella Castle, the whole family finds their own happy moment.
Of course, Full House always features a heartfelt lesson, a good talk, and some hugs. These attributes makeFull House’s episodes the best Disney-themed entries. We see sweet-natured and wholesome entertainment with a bit of moral wisdom.
2. The Middle (Season 5, Episodes 23 & 24, “Orlando” & “The Wonderful World of the Hecks”)
The most relatable episode on the entire list, theWalt Disney World trip for the Heck family, does not go off without a hitch. These represent some of the funniest installments and ones that families of limited means, ones who always seem to have things go wrong, and those who don’t always get along will relate to.
They will undoubtedly see themselves on screen and even have their heartstrings pulled. Sue, the eternally hopeful and diligent girl, wins the trip for her family. After a detour to visit Brick’s girlfriend, the Hecks finally arrive at Walt Disney World in Florida, only to be told their tickets are for Disneyland in California.
Of course, the cast members accommodate them, transfer their tickets, and give them a luxury suite, much to the Heck’s exuberant delight. Anyone not used to such things will bust a gut laughing at their excitement over every inch of their fantastic room. The episode ends in that traditionally heartfelt way, with the family together again, enjoying the fireworks.
3. Modern Family (Season 3, Episode 22, “Disneyland”)
The best of all the Disneyland-centric episodes, the trip to the Happiest Place on Earth for the Dunphy and Pritchett families, has every character acting as they usually do, with the episode playing out in the usual way.
Jay’s excitement to visit the park with his family warms our hearts. Claire tries to play matchmaker for Hayley by inviting an upstanding college boy. But she’s only interested in her ex-boyfriend Dylan, who she finds working at the park as a Dapper Dan. Phil and Luke exude enthusiasm riding all the roller coasters, but Phil soon learns he can’t handle them like he used to.
One of the best Disney-themed andModern Family episodes, this entry seamlessly blends its particular style of comedy with park surroundings, showcasing many of Disneyland’s attractions. These include the beauties of Main Street, fun-filled Toontown, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo, Splash Mountain, and Jay’s favorite, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which ends the family’s visit to the Happiest Place on Earth.
The sweet, sometimes hilarious episode uses the park not only as an excuse for a fun episode but as a way of showcasing how much their family dynamics mean to them all.
4. Black-Ish (Season 3, Episode 1, “VIP”)
This Walt Disney World-themed episode gives the audience one of the most unique, heartfelt, and worthy lessons. When Dre takes his entire family, including his wife Rainbow, his four kids Zoey, Andre Jr., Jack, and Diane, and in-laws Ruby and Pops, on vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth, the trip becomes unforgettable.
Meanwhile, Rainbow cannot ride most things because she’s pregnant. And her parents, who complain about the heat, project distaste and grumpiness. The two want to pack it in and return to the hotel untilDisney magic suddenly hits them. Their attempts to leave are continually “hindered” by amazing rides, gift shops, and riding on a parade float. Overall, the hilarious and heartwarming family adventure makes for a fun-filled watch.
5. Boy Meets World (Season 3, Episode 21, “The Happiest Show on Earth”)
The episode’s concept involves a twofold purpose: to showcase the Most Magical Place on Earth in a fun and creative way and to bring these two kids back together in a romantic, Disney-like way. It also shares a unique distinction with another show on this list: Step By Step. The two shows aired back to back on the famous TGIF ABC lineup.
The simple plot involves Cory regretting his breakup with Topanga. He plans to let her know, but she and other students win an essay contest that takes them to Walt Disney World. Kahoo, Cory follows her there, trying everything to prove his love for her, with obstacles at every turn.
Audiences get a glimpse of the parks and their varied attractions, seen creatively, such as waking up on Splash Mountain and scuba diving on the Living Seas Lagoon, with Shawn right by Cory’s side. EPCOT’s beautiful fountains and fireworks also provide the romantic backdrop for when Cory and Topanga come back together. Everything results in the sweet, funny, and good-natured humor that Boy Meets World is known for.
6. Roseanne (Season 8, Episodes 18 & 19, “We’re Going to Disney World”)
One of the series’ best episodes, this two-part installment remains true to the characters and concept ofRoseanne while bringing that particular kind of Disney magic to the Conner family.
After being laid off from his job, Dan gets a decent severance. After joking about wisely investing it, he and Roseanne decide to take the whole family on the kind of vacation they’ve never had as a lower-income family.
Roseanne and Jackie delight in cast members who remain kind no matter what. Becky tries to convince her husband, Mark, to stop his jealousy of the characters she charms at every turn. DJ and David have fun while Darlene sulks until she meets her childhood love, Winnie the Pooh, and reverts to a giddy little kid.
While one could nitpick at how they jump from park to park with no time constraints (something that most episodes do), Roseanne’s trip to Walt Disney World gives us a delightful glimpse into the parks.
7. The George Lopez Show (Season 3, Episode 24, “George Goes to Disneyland”)
A TV show rarely breaks the fourth wall, but this episode does so in its first moments with a tie-in contest. Talking directly to the audience, they are told to pay close attention, count how many Mickeys they see throughout the episode, and send the answer in to win a trip to Disneyland.
The highlights include a trip down Splash Mountain, a spin on the teacups, and a drop-down of the new-at-the-time Hollywood Tower of Terror, which has since become Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. Overall, the episode shows viewers never to let opportunities pass by out of resentment but instead to seize any moment of joy possible.
8. Family Matters (Season 6, Episodes 22 & 23, “We’re Going to Disney World Part 1 & 2”)
This two-part sitcom finale employs an interesting dichotomy. We see wholesome and earnest family antics and conflicts contrasted against science fiction.
Who knows why the show took this route, but at some point, for better or worse, Family Matters chose a storyline where Steve invents a machine that can alter his DNA and turn him into a different person. Though ridiculous (this machine can also somehow change his clothes), the story plays out with such earnestness and sweetness fans still enjoy watching.
The best part of the episode involves the show’s parental figures, Carl and Harriet. Carl, reluctant to take this vacation, preoccupies his thoughts with his ongoing police cases. When he lets that Disney magic in, he rediscovers the child within as we see them explore the parks with great delight.
9 – Step by Step (Season 5, Episodes 22 & 23, “We’re Going to Disney World Part 1 & 2”)
This two-part episode of thisBrady Bunch-style sitcom features zany and completely unrealistic antics. Several plots occur for the Lambert-Foster family trip to Walt Disney World.
All the storylines may lack believability but feel typical for the show’s tone. It feels ridiculous that anyone would choose to enter a singing contest and waste precious vacation time. At the same time, the record Flash attempts to break lacks plausibility.
Despite the flaws, the best aspects of the episodes still involve these storylines because they provide us with a unique and varied view of many restaurants, rides, and shows that Walt Disney World had to offer at that time, including Flash standing in for Indiana Jones in his stunt show.
The record-breaking moments, though enjoyable, showcase impossible scenarios. However, bringing a record back to America, the birthplace of thismagical world imbues the episodes with unexpected and uplifting inspiration.
10. Blossom (Season 3, Episode 9, “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”)
While almost all Disney Parks-themed episodes air on the Disney-owned ABC network, notably, not all have. The first episode of this sort was this series, which aired on NBC in 1993. The episode’s typical plot follows the same format of the series- an innocuous teenage romantic drama they resolve by the end.
Specifically, the Russo father gets a last-minute job as an Elvis impersonator for a show at Disneyland, and his kids and their friends go along for fun. Blossom and her boyfriend Vinnie fight when she sees him embrace another girl while riding the Skyway.
Ultimately, they all experience shock when they see Mr. Russo perform as Elvis. With this episode, Blossom starts a trend for other sitcoms to have similarly themed episodes, much like how they began the “very special episode” trend.
Moreover, it allows Disneyland fans to see the park in the early 1990s, with many things looking much different than they do now. The Skyway, the People Mover, and more lost attractions all appear, with a special appearance by the Mickey Mouse Club group The Party, which Gen-Xers and Millennials will fondly remember.Blossom’sDisneyland episode epitomizes 90s nostalgia.
11. The Goldbergs (Season 7, Episode 1 “Vacation”)
LikeSabrina the Teenage Witch, viewers do not see much of Disneyland in California in the episode. Only in the last few minutes do the Goldberg family reach theHappiest Place on Earth. Instead, the story revolves around the hilarious and heartwarming journey.
The family takes what they believe will be their last family vacation together before Barry and Erica head off to college, with their mother Beverly and father Murray acting like their typical selves. Fashioned after the filmNational Lampoon’s Vacation, audiences witness zany antics, luggage trouble, and a car crash.
In this case, the Goldbergs arrive early, and we see them enjoy the park in the episode’s final minutes with clever humor and self-referential homages.
The most amusing aspect involves Adam’s excitement over the Star Tours ride, joking that an entire land dedicated to his favorite film would merely be the stuff of dreams. All of these elements make for an entertaining episode.
12. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (Season 2, Episode 23 “Disney World”)
The weakest of all the official Disney Parks episodes, producers made this episode ofSabrinaa promotional tool (more than usual). Featuring Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World, this episode aired just two days after the park opened on April 22, 1998.
The episode focuses on the school trip Sabrina, her classmates, her Aunts, and her cat Salem (who stows away) taketo Florida. Sabrina attempts to collect all the ingredients she needs to make a potion to pass her witch’s exam. Chaos ensues as her Principal, Mr. Kraft, suspects her, as always. Additionally, Harvey magically becomes a tour guide on the animal Safari ride, and she accidentally turns her friend Valerie and rival Libby into zebras.
A subplot involves Aunts Hilda and Zelda discovering ancient fossils and turning them into a caveman. Unfortunately, the whole thing feels silly and showcases little of the park. While pleasant viewing for those who want to watch everyDisney Parks episode, the entry could be better.
13. The Big Bang Theory (Season 6, Episode 18, “The Contractual Obligation Implementation”)
Though hilarious, this episode ranks last because, technically, the show did not film any scenes in Disneyland. Given that the series aired on CBS that shouldn’t surprise anyone
The Disneyland aspect of the episode involves Penny, Amy, and Bernadette giving Raj advice about an upcoming date but getting sidetracked when someone mentions Disneyland. The three decide to head to the park the next day. On the car ride, they talk about getting Princess makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and argue about who gets to be each Princess.
Viewers will laugh seeing them dressed up, especially with the juxtaposition against a phone call from Sheldon. He asks them to encourage some middle school girls because people only sometimes take women seriously in typically male-dominated fields.
The clever commentary shows how women can embrace beauty and brains and earn respect for both. The episode ends adorably with each couple engaging in some saucy role-play that will make adults smile.
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